How to get to Sa Calobra Beach Mallorca
The Ultimate Guide with all your travel options
Want to know how to get to the Sa Calobra beach? No problem, I have got you covered!
For many people, visiting Sa Calobra beach is part of their holiday in Mallorca. The beach is undoubtedly unique in its location and absolutely stunning to look at!
You can reach this fantastic place by car, by bus, by boat, by bike and by hiking through the impressive Torrent de Pareis gorge.
I hiked through the Grand Canyon of Mallorca to reach the beach, and also used the bus and a rental car to get to Sa Calobra. If you are not up for a challenging hike, I highy recommend the scenic boat trip from Port de Soller.
Read on to learn about the available possibilities and how to get to best and easily get to Sa Calobra beach.
No time for details, just want to know how to best get to Sa Calobra beach?
No problem, book here your boat ride for a fantastic day in the beautiful cove.
Sa Calobra Boat tour
Visit Sa Calobra and admire the impressive Torrent de Pareis from Port de Soller harbor
(1 hour boat ride & free time for exploration)
Public bus to Sa Calobra beach
If you do not want to drive, do not want to do my favorite combination of hiking and boat ride or do not have a car during your Mallorca stay, you can still visit Sa Calobra by public bus.
Rides are very limited to one per day but that option is available. I used the bus when hiking through the canyon for the return journey and it was another adventure on its own.
The Bus L355 operates only during the Summer season, from April to October. It connects Can Picafort and Sa Calobra from Monday to Saturday and runs the following route:
- 9:30am – Can Picafort
- 10:00am – Port d’Alcudia
- 10:15am – Alcudia
- 10:30am – Port de Pollenca
- 10:50am – Pollenca
- 11:20am – Lluc (30 minute stop, departure 11:50am)
- 12:50pm – Sa Calobra
In the afternoon the bus leaves at 3pm Sa Calobra beach, passes the same stops and arrives back in Can Picafort at 5:35pm.
There is no service on Sundays. You are not allowed to use that bus line if you do not want to go to the beach as there are other connections between the other stops.
⇨ Make sure to re-check the schedule with TIB, the local bus company, prior as it may change!
Boat to Sa Calobra beach
Easier and my favorite is the connection by boat. From Port de Sóller, barcos azules runs several boat rides per day to Sa Calobra ferry jetty.
From mid-April to the end of October, they offer 4 departure times though out the day and 2 returns in the afternoon.
In February and March there is only one daily boat leaving Port de Soller at 11:20am and returning at 1:40pm.
Travel time on the boat is one hour. The scenic ride on the Mediterranean Sea takes you past rugged cliffs, sea caves, steep coastlines and hidden bays. So beautiful!
⇨ Boat rides to the beach are very popular! You should definitely book in advance, especially in high season, as places are limited and in high demand!
⇨ Check availability for the boat ride here
If you do not stay in Port de Soller, you can reach the departure point from Palma by bus 203 or 204.
Car to Sa Calobra beach
Another option to reach Sa Calobra Beach is by car. The narrow road to Sa Calobra beach is notorious! I drove it in winter when there is no traffic but would not want to be on it in summer!
⇨ Do not forget to compare rates for rental cars in Mallorca.
I always use DicoverCars to find the best rates
The 12km long MA-2141 road, which branches off the MA-10 main road, was inaugurated in 1933. It was built without the use of heavy machinery and overcomes a difference in altitude of 800 meters in hair-raising curves.
Before it gets adventurous, you will pass the Coll dels Reis Pass with an elevation of 682 meters (2,238ft). Afterwards the fun begins.
The narrow road winds along the slopes, some of which are dizzying. 180º sharp turns on steep slopes. Highlight is the 270° spiral bridge, also called the tie-knot (“Nus de Corbata”).
Even if you are a skilled driver, summer roads can be nerve-wracking due to the presence of cyclists, buses, and inexperienced drivers.
My travel tip: Drive that raod only if you visit Sa Calobra in winter. Take the boat or bus in the summer. The bus ride will definitely give you an extra adrenaline rush.
The last time I took the bus from the canyon back to Lluc, I always broke out in a sweat when oncoming traffic came into view. Especially the big buses speed through the hairpin bends without much consideration.
From Palma de Mallorca, the journey by car takes approximately 1,5hrs, covering a distance of about 65 kilometers. From Alcudia, the travel time by car is roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes for a 54-kilometer trip.
My tip for drivers: Just before you reach the sea, a narrow road branches off to another, less crowded beach: Cala Tuent. This beautiful cove with a rocky beach is located at the foot of Puig Major, the highest mountain in the Serra de Tramuntana.
Parking in Sa Calobra
There is a parking area just a few walking minutes from the beach but it is not very bis and as I already mentioned, the bay is very popular. There is no alternative parking if the main area is full.
In high season (July and August) you better come early if you drive by car.
In summer, you will have to pay 5ct/min, i.e. € 3.00 per hour but max. €15.00 for the day. This winter, on the other had when there was no one, we only had to pay € 2.00 for the whole day.
My tip: Plan your visit in summer by public transport. Not only will you save yourself those outrageous parking fees, it’s also much more fun to follow the winding road from the beach to the main road as an observer.
Hiking through the Torrent de Pareis
One of the reasons that make the beach of Sa Calobra so unique is the cliffs that surround it. The beach is the opening of the famous Torrent de Pareis, the Grand Canyon of Mallorca.
However, the hike that leads from Escorca restaurant on Ma-10 (not far from Lluc Monastery) through the canyon to Sa Calobra beach is no walk in the park and definitely not for everyone.
It requires climbing, sliding, and overcoming huge rocks that block the way. I have done it already twice as I love the challenge and for me it is undoubtful the best hike on the island.
If you enjoy hiking but are uncertain about the challenge, I recommend joining a small group led by a local hiking guide who can assist you if needed.
That adventurous hike finishes at Sa Caloba beach from where you can get back to the starting point by bus L355 or by boat to Port de Sóller.
Torrent de Pareis Hike with Guide
Hike safely through the challenging terrain of the fantastic gorge with a local hiking guide.
(approx. 5-6 hours / half-day tour)
Cycling to Sa Calobra Beach
I am no cyclist and will never be one but to give you all options and information on how to get to Sa Calobra beach, I have to include that one too.
The beach or better, the narrow road leading to it, is well-known among cyclists. The route from Port de Sa Calobra to the top is 9.5km long with a 670m elevation gain.
The average slope is 6.8%, peaking at 10-11% in places. It features 26 hairpin bends, with the toughest and steepest part in the last 3km.
Climbing time for cyclists varies. The fastest have completed it in about 25 minutes, but most will need between 40 minutes to an hour. Photographers capture cyclists during the peak season, and you can purchase these photos from their websites.
Sa Calobra Beach overview
Sa Calobra, which translates to “snake” in Catalan, is not only the name of the small beachfront village but also a testament to the winding roads that lead to this secluded beach.
It is located on the west coast of Mallorca island, within the Tramuntana Mountain Reserve area. Together with the nearby Cala Tuent, there are only about 70 inhabitants.
Sa Calobra actually offers 2 beaches, both with rystal clear and turquoise blue water. One next to the port and the other beach at the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis.
From the parking area it is only 2 walking minutes to reach the first small beach, restaurants and the port.
Follow the signs through 2 small tunnels to get to the famous Sa Calobra beach, which is officially called the Torrent de Pareis cove. It is 100m long, with a mix of small pebbles and sand and the Torrent de Pareis river, passing through it, all the way to the sea. Stunningly beautiful!
Good to know: There are no lifeguard or facilities at the 2nd beach. Toilets and showers (at a fee) are to be found before the first tunnel!
Even if you are no hiker, do not miss out walking a little bit into the famous canyon. As you head deeper into the gorge, the towering rock faces come closer and closer. Totally impressive and a must-do when you are visiting the beach!
FAQ’s
Is the Sa Calobra road difficult?
The road itself is not the easiest, but there is a lot worse. The problem in summer are (tour) busses, cyclists and lots of other cars who use that winding road through the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains as well.
Can you swim at Sa Calobra?
You can swim in Sa Calobra but there is no lifeguard on duty.
Can you drive to Sa Calobra Mallorca?
To access Sa Calobra by car, you need to drive 12km on a small and winding road which branches of the Tramuntana main street Ma-10.
Is the street to Sa Calobra one way?
The road to Sa Calobra is accessible in both directions. There are a few narrow sections where only one car or bus can pass at a time.
How much is parking at Sa Calobra?
In summer parking does cost €3,00 per hour with a maximum of €15,00 for the day. In winter you do only pay €2.00 for the entire day.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re only on the island for 4 days or taking a week-long road trip, Sa Calobra should be on your to-do list. How to get to Sa Calobra is then really depending on what you want to do there.
If you only want to enjoy the beach and do a short stroll into the famous Torrent de Pareis the boat ride from Port de Soller will be your best option.
Hikers should definitely challenge themself by exploring the entire Torrent de Pareis to get to Sa Calobra beach. I highly recommend a guided tour with a local guide for that adventure!
During the off-season, you should experience the winding road by driving to the beach yourself. In summer, the bus ride is another great adventure to take.
As you can see, there is a way for everyone, depending on your travel style and needs. Sa Calobra Beach, the Torrent de Pareis, and the surrounding nature are must-see attractions that make Mallorca worth visiting!
